Deputies Drill M7.8 Quake In 'Operation Tabletop'

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Sheriff's deputies and Los Angeles County officials were on hand Wednesday for a preparedness drill simulating a magnitude-7.8 earthquake along the San Andreas fault.

KNX 1070's Chris Sedens reports the exercise was a refresher course for coordinating multiple agencies in the event of "The Big One".

Sgt. John Hargraves helped lead about two dozen deputies and other sheriff's department personnel through a rigorous exercise known as "Operation Tabletop".

"This course that these people are learning here is how to manage an incident out in the field, how to form up teams quickly with disparate resources, and be able to work together to achieve a common goal," said Hargraves.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich was among the observers at the Los Angeles County's Office of Emergency Management, and he warned that it's only a matter of time before a similar disaster hits Southern California.

"You cannot have too much preparation and exercises to prepare for that day," said Antonovich.